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Yacht Work Crew Advice

Your partner in recruitment

YPI CREW provides all advice yacht crew may need. We are here to assist those looking for work on a yacht or those who are already working as a yacht crew, but have questions or need assistance. Below, you can find links to the most useful crew information:

We have 3 sections: FAQ / What qualifications do you need? / What are the jobs available?

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What qualifications do you need?

Everything you need to know about yacht crew qualifications for newcomers to the superyacht industry

The specific qualifications required will depend on whether you are looking for a career in the deck, interior or engineering department.

The common certificate required in all fields is the Basic STCW 95 and comprises four modules certificate. Superyacht recruitment agencies cannot find you work unless you have this basic certificate. Yachts over 500 ft, which are commercially registered, also require for all crew to have done a Security Awareness Training for which a certificate is delivered.

Once you are working on board the yacht, in whichever capacity, your captain and or Head of department will be able to advise you and guide you on further certificates you can take to go up the career ladder.

It is likely that you will have skills to bring to the table which are transferable to the yachting industry.

We all had to start somewhere, so don’t be shy; in yachting a positive personality and hardworking attitude can go a long way.

What are the jobs available?

faq

How can I make my CV stand out from the crowd?

Due to the competitive nature of the yacht crew industry, it is essential to illustrate your skills and experience in the best possible light. It is therefore essential to refine your CV, ensuring it is concise, relevant and well formatted. YPI CREW advises prospective candidates to consult a CV professional – such as The Crew Coach, a valued long-term partner of YPI CREW – to give themselves the best chance of perfecting their CV.

Is YPI CREW listed on the French national register of seafarer recruitment and placement services?

Yes, YPI CREW is listed on the French national register of seafarer recruitment and placement services under number GM1/50. The list can be consulted here.

Yacht Crew recruitment agency YPI CREW has launched a new peer-to-peer salary comparison website for the yachting industry designed to add a greater level of transparency – how much do people really earn. Learn more about it on the Yachting Salaries page.

The latest Yacht Crew Salary Report collates salary information from thousands of crew and provides transparency to the yachting industry. The report comprehensively outlines the average salary range for each yacht crew position, from deckhands to captains, benchmarking industry standards and providing a point of reference for employers and crew alike.

What accommodation is available in Antibes whilst I look for work?

Most crew will stay in crew houses. In Antibes the following crew houses are available :

The minimum is 2.5 calendar days per month of employment. On medium to larger yachts, however, it is a common practice for chief engineers and senior deck officers to work on rotations, such as three months on three months off.

What are the working hours?

The MLC (maritime and labour convention ) 2006 stipulates the limits on hours of work or rest shall be as follows :

Maximum hours of work shall not exceed?:

14 hours in any 24 hour period

72 hours in any seven day period

or

Minimum hours of rest shall not be less then :

10 hours in any 24 hour period

77 hours in any seven day period

However, during a busy season you should expect to have to work unusual and long hours if required as yachts operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How do I know the Yachting industry is for me?

The yachting industry is very rewarding, but it is not for everyone, because once you start working onboard, you sign up not just for the job, but also for the unique lifestylewhich comes with it.As an entry-level crew member you will be expected to work very hard, be a dedicated team player, the common goal being to ensure the guests have the best holiday. You must be able to live in tight spaces with other crew members and have little privacy and time on your own. Plus, you must be totally service-oriented to ensure that each guest is happy. If you have what it takes to lead such a lifestyle 24-7 and perform well at a yachting job, then the sky is the limit and you will be able to have a long and successful career afloat in a field of your choice.

What should I be wearing for interviews?

Look around you and look at what employed yacht crew wear during the day and copy that style. This will position you one step ahead of your competition. There are a few uniform shops in Antibes where you can buy everything you need. Generally speaking the professional yacht crew attire is a polo shirt or a shirt, white, blue or beige and plain shorts, skirts (not too short in length) or pants with boating shoes. Dangly and ornate jewellery is not appropriate.

Can my family contact me through YPI CREW if they cannot reach me on the yacht you have placed me on?

In case of emergency, if your family is not able to reach you on the yacht through regular means of communication (telephone and email), your family can email us or call us. We shall forward the email onto you and follow up with a call to make sure the email has reached you. If we have received a phone call for you from your family with an urgent message, we shall email you and also follow up with a phone call. Should we have placed you on yacht through a yacht management company, we shall also contact the yacht management company and forward the message. Your family can reach us on laurence@ypicrew.com and +33492904610 during office hours.

The email address laurence@ypicrew.com is monitored outside office hours and the mobile number to reach us outside office hours, for emergencies is +33612046508. This is the number of Laurence Lewis, the director of YPI Crew. Please note that the above is only to be used in case of emergency should your family have failed to contact you directly. It is your responsibility to ensure that your family has your up-to-date email and telephone numbers on board the yacht you work on and YPI Crew will not be held responsible for failed or delayed communication. YPI Crew will not charge you for the above.

I have tattoos – will this affect me getting a job?

Some yachts have a grooming and appearance code and a policy of “no visible tattoos” – This means nothing visible when wearing a crew uniform (polo shirt and shorts or skirt). It is best to discuss this with your recruiter who will advise you on which yachts this might be a problem.

Who pays for the documents that I need to be able to travel to join a yacht?

The standard A1.4 Recruitment and Placement, paragraph 5 of the MLC 2006 states that (b) no fees or other charges are to be borne directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by the seafarer other than the cost of the seafarer obtaining a national statutory medical certificate such as an ENG1, the national seafarer’s book and a passport, not including the cost of visas, which shall be borne with the ship owner.

Where will the yacht travel?

Wherever the owners want to go.

What is the difference between a private and a charter yacht?

A private yacht belongs to an individual who will use the yacht with his friends and family. A charter yacht also has an owner but in addition it will be rented out to third parties for a determined amount of time.

Charter yachts follow the principles of the Maritime and Labour Convention 2006. You can read the MLC 2006 convention on our website in any of the 4 official languages.

Can I find work with my partner?

We do not not place entry level couples; Working as a couple is a privilege which one earns and only happens at senior level; And even then yacht crew jobs for couples are not that common.

I am a newcomer, what personal belongings shall I take with me on board?

Crew cabins are small and you will be sharing with one person of the same sex; Space is at premium so best to travel light. You will be provided with crew uniforms, crew shoes and all toiletries so all you will need are a few civilian clothes for your off time. Laundry is taken care of by the stewardesses. Products such as the Kindle are great for yacht crew; Gone are the days of bulky books taking up valuable space!

Do I need to speak other languages apart from English? Do I for instance need to speak French to look for work in Antibes?

The quick answer is no; English is the language of the seas and the working language on board yachts. Of course, being able to speak other languages is a bonus and can make life easier and enhance your experience. It can also help dealing with some guests on board the yacht and with local suppliers. Antibes and the south of France is the heart of the Mediterranean yachting industry and most suppliers who are serious players in the yachting industry will speak English.

There is a very large English speaking community in the South of France, many yacht crew and captains live here with their families.

I am a newcomer to the industry: How long will it take until I get a job?

We cannot answer this question, it’s the same as asking: how long is a piece of string. It depends a lot on your skill set, enthusiasm, professionalism, neat and tidy presentation, politeness, resourcefulness and, of course, luck. Some people find work within a few of days or couple of weeks…others will not make it. We recommend you give yourself a month to find work and have the financial means to sustain yourself during this time. If within a month nothing happens, you need to re-evaluate your position. Please note that recruiters will not interview you unless your online profile is up to date with a copy of your CV, STCW 95, medical certificate and passport.

How long are contracts for?

It all depends; some yacht crew jobs are seasonal jobs, typically these contracts run from April to end of September for the Mediterranean season and from October to March for the Caribbean season. Seasonal jobs are most of the time for junior stewardesses and deckhands. Some yachts below 40 meters with only a one season program may also only hire a chef for that period.

Generally speaking Captains, officers, engineers, senior interior crew are employed on a permanent long term contract.

Please note, commercial yachts also known as charter yachts will provide you with a SEA ( seafarers employment agreement) which is the proper term replacing the word ” contract”. Commercial yachts should give you the opportunity to examine and seek advice on the agreement before signing and joining the yacht. For further information about SEA refer to the MLC 2006 Title 2 Regulation 2.1 Seafarer’s employment agreements. Private yachts are not required to issue a SEA.

Is there a minimum age to work on yachts?

Yes, there is. The minimum age is 16. No person below the minimum age shall be employed. Also, night work under the age of 18 is prohibited. “Night” shall cover a period of at least nine hours starting no later then Midnight and ending no earlier then 5 am. This is in accordance to the MLC 2006 Standard A1.1 Minimum age. Please note that you can start the online registration procedure with YPI CREW before the age of 18, but we will wait until you turn 18 years old to place you on a yacht.

YPI Crew is an active member of the following associations

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Laurence at YPI CREW is the crème de la crème of Superyacht Recruiters. I have been involved with her since her first interviewing me as a potential Captain for one of her available positions in 2005 and since then she has become a close friend and my number one choice of recruitment agency whenever I look for crew.

Captain Dùghall MacLachlainn

The recruiters at YPI CREW know their industry inside out and will always look for the best solution, they offer unbiased council and advice in the successful placement of crew ; you can relax in the knowledge that only qualified vetted candidates will be put forward. YPI CREW have also played a major part in my own career and professional choices over the last 14 years and it has always been complete pleasure to work with Laurence and her team.

Captain Richard Carr, MY SERENITY J

From the day I entered the industry the recruiters at YPI CREW have always worked hard at finding me great positions as an officer. Not only are they extremely professional and helpful, but Laurence and her team have also become very good friends over the years, and I can highly recommend using them.

Captain Carl Westerlund, 101m M/Y I Dynasty

YPI CREW only presents me with a small pool of perfectly vetted candidates, well matched to my requirements which is a great time saver. I can't think of a single crew member I employed through a YPI CREW recommendation, that I didn't work with successfully for an extended period of time.

Captain Carl Westerlund, 101m M/Y I Dynasty

Laurence and the YPI CREW team have been a great help over the past ten years. Their professionalism, care and industry knowledge makes all the difference and the crew recruitment for MY FORMOSA has been outstanding. The YPI CREW recruiters are key players in the industry !

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